When it comes to entertainment, there isn’t a whole lot Maria Conchita Alonso has left to accomplish.
Born in Cuba and raised in Venezuela, Alonso has been a teen beauty queen and a Spanish soap opera actress, has starred in movies and on Broadway, and has even won Grammys for her Spanish pop albums.
So why go through the grind of co-producing and hosting a television variety/talk show at this stage?
It’s simple, says Alonso. She’s fed up with the constant hassles that come with promoting her music and would rather dedicate her time to a project that’s more satisfying: “Al Dia Con Maria Conchita,” an afternoon chatfest that’s taped in Los Angeles and airs daily on the Spanish-language Telemundo network.
“As a singer, I’m tired of doing promotions — newspapers, TV, whatever,” says Alonso, an outspoken woman who has never hidden her disdain for the recording industry.
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At least with “Al Dia” — an hourlong mix of music, comedy, lifestyle segments and celebrity interviews that debuted this week — Alonso says she can promote her music (she often sings on the show) without straying far from her L.A.-area home.
“It’s perfect,” she says. “I like that I can be on every day with Hispanic (guests). Latins do not help each other in the industry, and a big part of my show is helping newcomers.”
“Al Dia” will run for at least 135 episodes, which should keep Alonso busy for the next few months. In the meantime, she’s intent on continuing her acting career, which took off after co-starring with Robin Williams in 1983’s “Moscow on the Hudson.”
Though she says her new show “doesn’t leave me time for anything,” Alonso is mulling offers for several independent films and telenovelas (Spanish soaps).